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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Wedding Invitation Formality and Styles

Depending on the formality, time, and hosting of your wedding, you will see there are a variety of ways to word your invitation. The styles are very similar, however, depending on your wedding, certain aspects will be different. Below you will find a compiled list of various ways to word your invitations in both formal and informal styles.

The formal wedding invitation includes: the invitation, an outside envelope, a reception card, an RSVP card, an RSVP envelope, directions to the church and the reception, information on accommodations for out-of-town guests, and thank you cards. Formal invitations include a line for the guest name, are very plain, and are engraved or have raised print (called thermograph). Most formal styles also have a raised border and black ink type. Addressing each card to a guest can be a pain, especially if you are inviting more than 50 people, however it adds a personal touch. The paper is very plain with little to no detail and it is printed on white or ivory paper. Even though engraved print is nice, you can use thermograph print if you are on a budget. Using thermograph instead of engraved print is less expensive, and has the look and feel of engraved print. Other options may be available, check with experienced wedding stationery companies under Invitations in your state.

Informal invitations differ in what is included with the card. The shape, style, print, ink color, and paper, can all vary. Informal invitations do not have a line to write in the guest name and are usually not engraved or have raised print. Informal invitations are used to reflect a couple's personality, style, or theme of the wedding. There are many styles to choose from, and you can find out about them by checking with experienced wedding stationery companies under Invitations in your state. You can also use your own unique ideas and others to design a style yourself.

NOTES:

In both Formal invitations and Informal invitations always use the first, middle and last name, in that exact order. Unless you pick an informal style, never use nicknames or initials. Only "Mr.", "Mrs." and "Dr." can be abbreviated on a formal card. On either type of invitation include days, dates, times, addresses, and always write out the word "and" between names (i.e. Mr. and Mrs., Mary and Mike). Note that in the samples below the traditional British spelling of honour and favour is often used, which is very popular. You can view different ways of wording various types of cards by looking at "Bride's parents hosting" "Options".

Better understanding the layouts listed:

Below are the most commonly used invitation styles along with a short description. Hosting situations include just the bride's parents, just the groom's parents, both bride's and groom's parents, divorced parent(s), deceased parent. Guests are invited to the reception only, even when the bride and groom are hosting. To every layout there is a formal and informal version for you to use. Some have even more options under each formal and informal version. Pick the one that best suits your situation, your formality, and use it to have the invitations made; you can also make your own.

Bride's parents hosting:

It is traditional for the parents of the bride to pay for the ceremony and the reception (see article "Who pays for what?" by Onewed.com for more information about who pays for what in planning a wedding.) For this particular case, the most used invitation layout is this one:

to celebrate the marriage of their daughterAmy KellywithMr. Joe Tim Gaineat The Holy Church, Fredericksburg on Saturday. 1st October 2005at 4 p.m.The reception afterwards will be held atHilton Hotel, Willis Street, Orange

R.S.V.P. 123 Toby LaneFredericksburg, Virginia Informal

Kathy Anne and Mike Adam Harriswould like you to join them to celebrate the marriage of their daughterAmy KellywithJoe Tim Gaineat The Holy Church, Fredericksburgon Saturday. 1st October 2005at 4 p.m.The reception afterwards will be held atHilton Hotel, Willis Street, Orange

Please reply to 123 Toby LaneFredericksburg, Virginia

Options: (any card can use)

Instead of: "at The Holy Church200 Caroline Ave

Fredericksburg, Virginiaon Saturday. 1st October 2005at 4 p.m.":

Use: on Saturday, the first of Octobertwo thousand and fiveat four o'clock in the eveningThe Holy Church200 Caroline AveFredericksburg, Virginia

The parents of the bride can choose to include the parents of the groom in the invitation to make them feel as if they are part of the family as well. To add them, put their names after the groom's name like this:

After: "Mr. and Mrs. Mike Adam Harrisrequest the pleasure of the company of

Mike Adam Harriswould like you to join him to celebrate the marriage of his daughterAmy KellywithJoe Tim Gaineat The Holy Church, Fredericksburgon Saturday. 1st October 2005at 4 p.m.The reception afterwards will be held atHilton Hotel, Willis Street, Orange

Please reply to 123 Toby LaneFredericksburg, Virginia

If the mother is deceased, and the father has remarried:

If the mother of the bride has pasted on and her father has remarried, the father and his wife would use this:

Sylvia Bryant and Paul Williamswould like you to them to celebrate the marriage of their daughterAmy Kelly withJoe Tim Gaineat The Holy Church, Fredericksburgon Saturday. 1st October 2005at 4 p.m.The reception afterwards will be held atHilton Hotel, Willis Street, Orange

Please reply to 123 Toby LaneFredericksburg, Virginia

The groom's parents are hosting:

The groom's parents are paying for or planning the ceremony and the reception.

to celebrate the marriage of Amy Kelly Harristo their sonJoe Tim at The Holy Church, Fredericksburg on Saturday. 1st October 2005at 4 p.m.The reception afterwards will be held atHilton Hotel, Willis Street, Orange

R.S.V.P. 123 Toby LaneFredericksburg, Virginia Informal

Mary Lynn and Tim Scott Gainewould like you to join them to celebrate the marriage ofAmy Kelly Harristo their sonJoe Tim at The Holy Church, Fredericksburgon Saturday. 1st October 2005at 4 p.m.The reception afterwards will be held atHilton Hotel, Willis Street, Orange

Please reply to 123 Toby LaneFredericksburg, Virginia

The bride and groom are the hosts:

Either the bride's or the groom's parents are paying or planning the event. This may be used for a second wedding where only friends are invited to attend.

Formal

Miss. Amy Kelly HarrisandMr. Joe Tim Gainerequest the pleasure of the company of